Steam power plant



Nov.- 7, 1933. c. B. FAVERTY STEAM POWER PLANT Filed Apri; 28

. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 lmjenifir Clyde .5 f c werty VIIIII/IIIIIIIIIIIIMIIMIIIIIIML Nov. 7,1933. i c. B. FAVERTY 5 STEAM POWER PLANT Filed April 28, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 l l I l l I i l 1 l I I lnuenifif; Clyde l3.- Ruerty NOV- 7, 1933- c FAVERTY 7 1,934,661

STEAM POWER PLANT Filed April 28, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet I5 lndeni''r Clyde 1?- IZiUerty 7 Y BW Gui a Nov. 7, 1933- c. B. FAVERTY 1,934,561

STEAM POWER PLANT Filed April 28,, 1932- 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Chi l-Q1 ooo'oooooo oooooooooo Imam-U257" Cycle 13 fauerty Patented Nov. 7, 1933 i v I STEAM POWER PLANT Clyde B. Faverty, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Ryan Car Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 28, 1932. Serial No. 607,995

8 Claims. (Cl. 1223) My invention relates to steam power plants. by the coupling 23 to the motor generator shaft It relates more in particular to a steam power 14. A feed water supply pump 24 has its operplant adapted for operating a vehicle although ating shaft 26 connected by a coupling 2'7 to a not limited to such use. second output shaft 28 projecting from the gear 5 When operating a power plant employing a box 19. An air compressor 29 is also driven 6O recirculating series type of boiler considerable by suitable connection to the gear box 19 by, auxiliary equipment is necessary to maintain mechanism which will be described. the requisite contrdl of the entire system. The Now referring first briefly to the apparatus proper development of this type of steam power shown in Fig. 1, the motor 16 is adapted to be 10 plant therefore consists in great part in the driven as a motor by power supplied by a battery 65 proper development and control of the auxiliary 31 (Fig. 4). Means of a character hereinafter equipment. This equipment is tied up very described is provided in the connections from the closely with the operation of the system, pargear box to the motor generator shaft to permit ticularly at various stages of the operation. The the motor to turn without affecting the movestarting of the system which includes the pement of any of the other apparatus so that initial- 70 riod in which steam is being developed requires 1v n y h app t t y nt rin int th close control for several reasons readily underoperation and control of the burner is actuated. standable to those skilled in the art. One of When steam has been developed in the boiler systhe most important criterion of a satisfactory tem adeq in Pressure and amount t perate system is simplicity in starting, safety in startthe auxiliary steam engine 17, steam is admitted T5 ing, and the rapid development of sufiicient '0 such steam engine and all of the associated steam pressure to operate the main prime mover. p is driven directly o e Steam The principal object of my invention is the gine including the motor shaft and the blower l2. provision of an improved steam power plant. The motor 16 is preferably of the shunt wound th object is the provision of a steam type so that as its speed is increased by its con- 80 power plant having improved means for opernection with the auxiliary steam engine it operates ating the auxiliary equipment. as a generator to recharge the battery 31. In Another object is the provision of improved the starting syst the Operation s a a o starting means for a steam power plant. be automatic, so that should the steam be de- Another object is t promote th t m ti creased to such an extent that the auxiliary en- 85 control of the power plant and equipment emgine 17 fails to operate, the motor will act as a ployed therewith during starting. motor and continue the operation of the blower Other objects and features of the invention will n so k p h burner operating until be apparent from the following detailed descripfi i nt t a is fi a y generated to a t tion taken with the accompanying drawings, t allXilialy engine in Operation 90 wherein Fig. 3 shows one way of accomplishing my de- Fig. l is a plan view showing one end of a sired result. The shaft 22 is provided with a steam propelled vehicle and illustrating some of bevelled gear 32 meshing with a bevelled gear 33 the apparatus employed in the system; rotatably mounted on the main gear box shaft.

Fig. 2 is a' transverse sectional view taken In the form shown the bevelled gear is bolted 95 through the vehicle showing some of the parts to the flange of a sleeve 34. A uni-directional thereof in elevation; clutch or overrunning clutch is provided between Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view this sleeve and the main gear box shaft. In the partly in section showing some of the features form shown I employed a coil spring type of clutch of the invention; and 36, one end of which projects into a port 37 ll 00 Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing t W y h the sleeve 34. and the other end of which is unatauxiliary app a Operates m the y tached. The coil spring 36 surrounds the shaft R ri g first to I Show a D1911 View and is disposed between the shaft and a sleeve of a b l r havi a central burner 11 t whi h 38 mounted to turn with the shaft. Asmallhelical pplied by a blower the shaft 13 compression spring 39 holds the clutch spring 38 (Fi Of which is Connected directly to t e with its convolutions together and with the pro- Shaft 14 Of a motor 6- An a l y St m e j ecting end of the spring suitably supported in gine 17 is connected to the drive shaft 18 of a the port 37. It will be seen that with this argear box 19 by a suitable coupling 21. One rangement when the shaft 22 is being turned by 55 output shaft 22 from the gear box is connected the motor the tendency is to tighten the spring 36, thereby causing the spring to turn with respect to the sleeve 38 and allowing the shaft 22 to overrun the main gear box shaft. On the other hand, when the main gear box shaft, driven by the auxiliary steam engine 17, tends to turn at a higher rate of speed than the shaft 22 (allowing of course for the gear ratio between the shafts) the coil spring will tend to unwind and will engage the sleeve 38 with such force as to have a clutching effect and so drive the shaft 22 through the connections described. In other words, I place an overrunning clutch between the shaft 22 in the main gear box shaft so that the shaft 22 cannot drive the main gear box shaft, but the main gear box shaft does drive the shaft 22.

In the form shown, the shaft 18, the main gear box shaft, and the shaft 28 being merely extensions of each other, any time the auxiliary steam engine 17 is operating it serves to operate the feed water pump 24 directly. Obviously, however the feed water pump is not driven by shaft 22.

The air compressor 29 is driven by the auxiliary engine 17 by a sprocket chain connection including a pair of sprocket gears 41 keyed to the main gear box shaft, sprocket gears 42 carried by the air compressor shaft 43, and sprocket chains 44 interconnecting the two sets of sprocket .gears.

A steam power plant of the character to which the present invention relates employs a steam condenser 46 (Fig. 2). These steam condensers are preferably mounted at the top of the vehicle, although they may be located in other positions. In one convenient form the condenser is arranged in sections, placed along the side of the vehicle at the top so that air may be drawn in through the top by a fan 47 and discharged at the sides through the condenser sections. I preferably drive the fan 47 by direct mechanicalconnection from the auxiliary engine. A bevelled gear 48 carried by the main gear box shaft (Fig. 3) meshes with a bevelled gear 49 (Fig. 2) connected to the lower end of a substantially vertical shaft 51. The upper end of this shaft also carries a bevelled gear 52 meshing with a bevelled gear 53. This bevelled gear 53 is mounted on a longitudinal shaft 54 which may run the length of the vehicle and is adapted to operate any number of fans 47 to insure proper condensing action. In driving the fan 47 a bevelled gear 56 carried on the vertical fan shaft 57 meshes with a bevelled gear carried on the shaft 54. In Fig. 2 the bevelled gear 56 is shown meshing with the same bevelled gear 53 which is driven by the bevelled gear 52. It will be understood, however, that when additional fans are distributed along the shaft 54 a separate bevelled gear connection is used for each fan.

The operation of the apparatus hereinabove described will be more readily understood from a consideration of the system of which it forms a part. In the schematic view I employ as much as possible the same reference characters previously used in Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, where the parts are identical. I

The burner 11 is centrally disposed in a boiler casing 58 and between the boiler casing and the burner are disposed a series of coils including steam evaporator coil 59, super-heater coil 61, and pre-heater coil 62. Water from the. condenser 46 is delivered through apipe 63 to a hot well 64. From the hot well water is drawn by the water pump 24 through a pipe 66, whence it is forced through a pipe 67 to the pre-heater coil 62. From the pre-heater coil the water is delivered through a pipe 68 to an injector 69 placed near the bottom of a drum 71. This drum functions as a steam and water separating drum and also has a storage drum for steam and water. the steam of course being in the top of the drum and the water in the lower part of the drum, the approximate water level being indicated by the dotted line 72. The water passes from the pipe 68 through the injector 69 and then to a pipe 73 connected to the evaporator coil. The injector draws additional water from the bottom of the drum for recirculation through the evaporator coil.

The outlet end of the evaporator coil is connected to a pipe 74, the outlet end of which projects into the drum 71 above the water line, thereby discharging the fluid from the evaporator coil into the drum, preferably tangentially thereof. Thafluid so delivered consists of steam with a considerable amount of water, the water separating out by gravity and falling to the bottom of the drum. and the steam remaining in the upper part of the drum.

A pipe 76 connected to the top of the drum withdraws steam through a separator 77 and delivers the steam to the super-heater coil 61. A suitable pipe connection 78 connected to the super-heater coil delivers steam to the auxiliary steam engine 17 through apipe 79, or to a main drive engine 81 through a pipe 82. A suitable throttle valve 83 is employed to control the flow of steam to the engine 81; Exhaust steam from engine 81 is conveyed by a pipe 84 to the condenser 46, while a pipe 86 conveys the exhaust steam from the auxiliary steam engine 17 to the condenser. 1

by the fact that there is a. restricted passageway 11 in the injector through which the pre-heater coil discharges. There are occasions when there is a tendency for the pressure in the pre -heatercoil to be increased above that desired. To avoid, this possibility, a bypass valve 87 is placed between the pipe 68 and the pipe 73 so that in the event that a very high pressure is developed in the pre-heater some of the fluid therein can be discharged directly into the evaporator section thus relieving the pressure in the pre-heater coil and increasing the circulation in the evaporator coiL- This bypass or bleeder, however, does not affect the injector action between the two sections.

Although the system is closed and the steam is condensed and retumedto the boiler, there are occasional losses'of water for various reasons,

and means is provided for replenishing the system from a main water supply in tank 88. This main water supply tank is connected by a series of pipes including pipe 89 to the hot well 64, and pressure regulated valves 91 and 92 placed in the manner shown control the flow of water from the tank 88 through the pipe 89. The valve 91 is operated to admit additional water when the temperature of the pre-heater section increases a pre-determined amount. One way of producing this result is thelocation of a bulb 93 in the pre-heater section connected by a presure line 94 with the valve 91. When the temperature 6: the fluid passing out of the pre-heater coil is too great, the fluid in the bulb 93 expands and this expansion through the line 94 operates the valve 91 to open it. As soon as the temperature isldecreased the valve 91 is closed.

The valve 92 is operated when the water level in the drum 71 is decreased a pre-determined amount. An expansion bulb 96 is disposed in a chamber 9'7 connected by pipes 98 and 99 to the upper and lower portions of the drum respectively. A second chamber 101 connected to the chamber 97 and disposed in the same metal body is connected into the water supply pipe 6'7. When the water level in the drum is normal, bulb 96 will be covered with water, and since the feed water passing close to the bulb through the chamber 101 will be maintaining it cool there will be no undue expansion of the fluid in the bulb. When the water level in the drum decreases, however, the bulb will be exposed to the steam and the cooling water will not have sufficient cooling effect, and the expansible material in the bulb will expand. The bulb is connected through a pressure line 102 to the expansion valve 92 and accordingly the valve 92 will be opened and admit water from the supply tank 88 to the hot well.

When the system has been operating and is then cooled down, there is a tendency for the water in the coils to be drawn into the drum and into other portions of the system which normally carry steam. This tendency is caused by a partial vacuum resulting from the-condensation of the steam. When starting a systemcold it is neither necessary nor advisable to operate the feed water pump, but it is'still advisable to have the evaporator coil amply supplied with water. A vacuum relief valve 103 placed in the top of the drum relieves. the vacuum and allows the coils to remain filled with water when the system is cooled.

For the purpose of promoting circulation during the starting of the system a small pipe 104 is connected to the super-heater portion of the system and this pipe is provided with a control valve 106. This control valve operates to allow steam to pass through the pipe 104 when the pressure thereof is relatively low. When the pressure is increased, however, suiificiently to operate the valve, flow of steam through the pipe 19 1 is arrested. This steam flowing through the pipe 10% can be employed for any suitable purpose. For example, it may be employed for initially heating up either the auxiliary steam engine or the main steam engine 81. This showing is illustrative, however.

I have not attempted to show thedetails ofthe porizing device 111, which may be supplied with air from the main blower 12 through a bypass 112.

The conduit 107 is provided with a damper 10 controlled by a suitable electro magnetic solenoid 114.- supplied with power by the battery 31. In the operation of the burner the control of air and fuel is determined by the steam pressure, so that when the steam pressure is decreased a predetermined amount the burner is ignited and when the pressure is raised to a predetermined ount the control is operated to cut ofi the flow of air and fuel and stop the operation of the burner.

I have described the system somewhat in detail so that those skilled in the art will understand the manner in which my present invention is employed in the system. For a more complete understanding of the invention, however, I wish to refer to the co-pending application of Engstrom, Faverty and Walker, Serial No. 466,- 084, filed July 3, 1930, Ryan and Faverty application Serial No. 519,491, filed March 2, 1931, and application Serial No. 608,032, filed April 28, 1932.

In the operation of the system, the pilot burner 109 is first lighted to raise the main burner to a sufficient temperature to permit its operation. In operating the pilot burner the blower 12 is operated through the motor generator 16 acting as a motor and supplied with current from battery 31. At this time the main burner damper 113 is closed. At a suitable time the main burner is ignited, the motor generator 16 still operating the blower. Due to the control arrangement, steam is rapidly generated in the evaporator coil 59. The initial slight movement of steam vapor through the pipe 104 facilitates the generation of the steam and also, by initiating vapor movement, serves to protect the superheater coil. In the meantime the pipe 79 to the auxiliary steam engine has been opened and as the steam pressure gradually increases, the valve 106 closes off thepipe 104 and steam is delivered to the auxiliary engine.

During this time none of the associated apparatus is operating and it is absolutely unnecessary for the engineer or operator to give any thought to these portions of the system. As the steam head increases sufficiently to turn over the auxiliary steam engine, it begins to operate all of the associated apparatus. Inasmuch as the boiler has become quite hot by this time, it is ready to receive'additional water from the hot well and this water is automatically supplied. Sometimes the flow of the relatively cold water so cools off the boiler as to reduce the steam generation to such an extent that the auxiliary steam engine would slow down. At such a time, it is desirable to stop further feeding of water, and this is automatically taken care of. At the same time, however, the motor generator 16 will continue to act as a motor, driving the fan 12 and maintaining the burner in operation. When a sufficient head of steam is generated-to drive the auxiliary engine at substantially full speed the over-running clutch will operate to cause the engine to drive the motor 16, which then acts as a generator and charges the battery.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a steam power plant, a burner, a blower for supplying air to said burner, a steam boiler system in which steam is generated by heat from said burner, a feed water pump for pumping water to said boiler system, a motor for driving said blower, an auxiliary steam engine connected to drive said feed water pump, and an overrunning clutch between the steam engine drive shaft and said motorshaft, whereby when steam is generated to drive said auxiliary engine, said steam drives said pump and motor.

2. The combination of claim 1, including a battery for driving said motor, whereby when said engine drives said motor it acts as a generator to charge said battery.

3. Iri a steam power plant, a boiler system, a burner, a blower for supplying air to said burner,

a motor for driving the blower, a gear box having a main shaft. an auxiliary engine connected to one end of said shaft, a feed water pump to the other end of the shaft and adapted to be operated by the auxiliary engine to supply water to the boiler system, and an overrunning clutch connection between said gear box shaft and the motor shaft, whereby on closing said clutch the blower is operated by said auxiliary engine and said motor driven as a generator.

4. In a steam power plant, a boiler system, a burner, a blower for supplying air to said burner, a motor for driving the blower, a gear box having a main shaft, an auxiliary engine connected to one end of said shaft, a feed water pump to the other end of the shaft and adapted to be operated by the auxiliary engine to supply water to the boiler system, and an overrunning clutch connection between said gear box shaft and the motor shaft, an air compressor, and a drive connection from said gear box shaft to said air compressor for driving the same from said auxiliary engine.

5. In a steam power plant including a boiler system, a burner, a blower, and auxiliary apparatus including a feed water pump, a motor for driving said blower, an auxiliary steam engine for said associated apparatus including said feed water pump, and an over-running clutch connection between said auxiliary steam engine and motor whereby said motor is ineffective to drive the steam engine, but said steam engine operates to drive said motor when the relative speed thereof is greater than the relative speed of the motor.

6. In a steam power plant. a boiler system, a burner, a blower for supplying air to the burner, a motor operable to drive the blower, a feed water pump, an auxiliary steam engine for driving said feed water pump, said feed water pump and auxiliary engine interconnected by a driving shaft, and an overnmning clutch connection between said driving shaft and said motor whereby said motor may be driven on its own power without driving" said driving shaft, but said driving shaft is operable to drive the motor and through the motor to drive the blower.

7. In a steam propelled railway vehicle, a

steam generator disposed within the body-of the.

vehicle, and including a boiler system and burner, a condenser disposed in the roof of the vehicle for condensing steam and returning it to the boiler system, a blower for supplying air to the burner, a motor for operating said blower, an auxiliary engine having a drive shaft, a feed water pump having a connection to said auxiliary engine drive shaft a substantially vertically disposed shaft connected to said drive shaft, a condenser fan mechanism driven by said vertical shaft, and an overrunning clutch connection between said auxiliary engine drive shaft and said motor whereby on starting, said motor is adapted to operate the blower without effecting the operation of said feed water pump or condenser fan mechanism.

8. In asteam propelled railway car, a steam generator disposed'within the body of the vehicle, and including a boiler system and burner, a condenser disposed in the roof of the car for condensing steam and returning it to the boiler system, a blower for supplying air to the burner, an auxiliary engine having a shaft, a gear box including gears driven by said auxiliary engine shaft, a shaft drive from said gear box and connected to drive said blower, a suction fan for said condenser disposed near the roof of the car, and a substantially vertically disposed shaft extending into said gear box and carrying a gear meshing with and driven by a gear in said box, the said shaft having a driving connection to said fan at the upper end thereof.

CLYDE B. FAVERTY. 

